Disclaimer: This blog provides general immigration information, not legal advice. Laws and policies change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. Always do your own research and consider speaking with an accredited immigration lawyer before making any decisions. I am not affiliated with any government agency and am not responsible for outcomes based on this information. Official guidance on immigrating can be found on the UK Home Office website.
If you are an American citizen visiting the UK for tourism purposes, you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of a Standard Visitor visa. ETAs are significantly cheaper and less complicated than Standard Visitor visas.
With an ETA, you can:
– come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, short-term study or for a permitted paid engagement.
With an ETA, you cannot:
– stay in the UK for longer than 6 months.
– do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
– claim public funds.
– essentially ‘live’ in the UK through frequent or subsequent visits.
– marry or enter a civil partnership or give notice of either (instead, you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa).
Currently, applying for an ETA only costs £10. You can apply on the UK Home Office website or with the UK ETA app. You’ll typically get a decision in 3 business days.
Standard Visitor visa – If you are an American with a criminal record or have previously been refused entry to the UK, you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of an ETA. Check out the UK Home Office website for more information if this applies to you.
